# Can Hukporti become the Sixers' backup center?

> The Sixers signed a raw seven-footer with just 715 NBA minutes to be their primary backup center alongside LeBron James.
- Title: Can Hukporti become the Sixers' backup center? · PhillyVoice
- Summary: The Sixers signed a raw seven-footer with just 715 NBA minutes to be their primary backup center alongside LeBron James. Hukporti's success depends on…
- Keywords: ariel hukporti, philadelphia 76ers, nba, backup center, lebron james, joel embiid, free agency, 2026-27 season, new york knicks, adem bona, news, local
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-analysis-ariel-hukporti-stats-contract-interview-highlights-career-nba-rumors-roster-press-conference
- Published: 2026-09-19T12:00:11.88+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: ariel hukporti, philadelphia 76ers, nba, backup center, lebron james, joel embiid, free agency, 2026-27 season, new york knicks, adem bona, news, local
## Sixers land LeBron James
After trading Paul George, the Sixers acquired five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown and signed LeBron James, creating one of the most talented starting lineups in recent NBA history.
## Meet Ariel Hukporti
The Sixers signed the 7-foot, 246-pound center to a one-year, 3.4 million dollar deal to add youth and athleticism to their center depth chart.
## Limited NBA experience
Hukporti spent two seasons as a little-used third-string center for the championship-winning New York Knicks, playing just 715 NBA minutes total.
## A ball of clay
For a player of his size, Hukporti moves well, making him moldable into the Sixers' ideal backup center, but his limited experience leaves much unknown.
## Can he handle the workload?
The key question is whether Hukporti has the endurance to play 30-plus minutes in games where Joel Embiid sits out.
## Foul trouble is a concern
Both Hukporti and backup center Adem Bona are prone to picking up too many fouls, which could force either one to play significant unplanned minutes.
## Rebounding looks strong
Hukporti has averaged 14.6 rebounds per 100 possessions, a fairly strong mark for a backup center.
## Turnovers are a red flag
He has committed 3.7 turnovers per 100 possessions, but with only five games exceeding 22 minutes, it is hard to know if this is a real weakness.
## Limited sample size
With so few minutes played, Hukporti's true strengths and weaknesses at the NBA level remain unclear.
## Sixers must scout him closely
The team needs to monitor Hukporti's practice performances and regular-season appearances to develop him into a long-term bench big.
## LeBron's trust is essential
For backup centers like Hukporti, earning the confidence of LeBron James, the team's quarterback, is critical to getting consistent minutes.
## Pick-and-roll partnership
Much of Hukporti's minutes will likely come running pick-and-roll with James, who makes reads a split second earlier than anyone else.
## Hands matter with LeBron
When James finds Hukporti rolling to the rim with open space, the center must catch and finish cleanly or James will stop making the pass.
## Deadline to prove himself
Hukporti and Adem Bona have until the trade deadline to show they deserve consistent minutes and LeBron's trust.
## Backup center could change
If Hukporti and Bona cannot prove themselves, the Sixers will likely acquire a new backup center for the stretch run of the season.
## Key takeaway

Hukporti's success depends on whether he can handle increased minutes, reduce turnovers, and earn LeBron James' trust in pick-and-roll situations.